D.r.i. Wit

"It was one of the many names my dad gave us," said original member and vocalist Kurt Brecht during a phone interview from his home in San Francisco.

D.R.I., as they are known by fans, would practice in Brecht's small bedroom in the Houston, Texas, family home. Guitarist Spike Cassidy, bassist John Menor, drummer Rob Rampy and Brecht crammed themselves in there almost daily. Dad didn't like the noise and within a year the four men had relocated to sunny California. Yet, memories of those days linger on.

"We actually got him on tape yelling. We used it on `Mad Man.' He likes it now that we've moved out," said Brecht, 31.

"Mad Man" is a track on one of the group's early efforts. Even though D.R.I. signed with Rotten Records just recently, they've recorded and distributed five other albums - "Dealing with It" (1986), their thrash-meets-rock breakthrough album "Crossover" (1987), "Four of a Kind" (1988) and "Thrash Zone" (1989).

The 10-year-old band used to be with Metal Blade Records, but were traded to Enigma records which later declared bankruptcy.

"All of a sudden, we were free agents," said Brecht.

This independence wasn't really new to the guys. D.R.I. has had all 40 of their fingers in the production stew since they self-released "Dirty Rotten EP" in 1983. When indie label Rotten Records came by with a deal this year, D.R.I. was happy to get it.

"We were leery of a major label. We're totally happy. The buck stops with us. No one tells us what to do," said Brecht.

There may not be anyone handing down instructions, but D.R.I. isn't exactly in charge as they tour with Ice-T's Body Count and fellow rockers Exodus and Pro-Pain. Not bad company to keep. The band already has been on the road for some time, stopping only to record something and pick up fresh clothes. Brecht's not complaining.

"If there was something to go back to, I would, but there isn't anything better than this," he said.